Taj Gibson scored 22 points and Pau Gasol added 21 points and 11 rebounds as the Bulls improved to 27-22 in openers with a 104-80 blowout of the Knicks. The Bulls placed six players in double figures and shot 50.7 percent with 14 fast-break points. For good measure, coach Tom Thibodeau picked up a technical foul with the Bulls up 24 in the fourth quarter. Yeah, it's regular-season time all right.

Turning point

Aaron Brooks scored five points in the final 1 minute, 8 seconds of the first quarter to jump-start the Bulls after a rocky start. That began a strong second-quarter stint by the bench the starters ultimately stretched to a 15-point lead.

Tribune player of game

Gibson. The forward added eight rebounds and scored 10 of his 22 points in the second quarter when the Bulls began to run away and hide. Thibodeau consistently lauded Gibson's game and practice performance during training camp, and Gibson showed why, continuing to display impressive footwork in the post.

Big number

10. In a reflection of this team's depth, Thibodeau used a 10-player rotation even without injured Jimmy Butler. Critics point to Thibodeau's overuse of players, but when he's given depth, as he was in 2010-11 and 2011-12, he uses it.

Oh, sure, he logged those 10 games at the start of last season before tearing his right meniscus....

NEW YORK — From the May 1, 2012, playoff game vs. the 76ers directly after he tore his left ACL to the April 29, 2014, playoff game in which the Wizards eliminated the Bulls, Derrick Rose watched.

Oh, sure, he logged those 10 games at the start of last season before tearing his right meniscus....

(K.C. Johnson)

The quote

"I'm excited for this team. We have the potential to do something special. That's all you can ask for." — Joakim Noah

The quote II

"Pau was very good, very good. I thought he went into attack mode. Offensively, he made the right plays. He looked to score a little bit more, and he made the right pass. He played very unselfishly. Defensively, he was rebounding, protecting the rim. I thought he was outstanding.'' — Thibodeau on Gasol's Bulls debut.

The quote III

"He was the best player in training camp, best player in the preseason games. He just goes out and does his job. Let's his performance speak for itself and that's the way it should be.'' — Thibodeau on Gibson's performance.